Windows build in an eMac

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26 Jul 2012
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Hello
I recently purchased an eMac on eBay (for only £35) but I am not really a Mac person. Not at all.
I have been thinking about completely gutting the case, installing a 17" LCD and an mATX or other small form factor build inside. However, I am not an expert in these sorts of DIY conversions. I can build computers fine, but I'm not sure how i'd find this task.
-Is it possible?
-Is there anything that I would need to do differently?
-How easy would it be to get a normal motherboard to fit nicely in this case?
This link may have some ideas: http://www.ierna.com/blog/emac-lcd-conversion/
I just want it to be like an all-in-one desktop.
I will post pics/vids if I ever get round to doing this build
Thanks
-Joel-
 
It's not going to be easy, but it can be done.

I've worked on Macs in the past, and the logic boards do have slightly different alignment to M-ATX, but with a drill and some time you could probably get something in there.

Cooling isn't going to be the greatest though, I must say. eMacs were notorious for getting hot. Even with the low voltage of the PPC.

If you do end up doing something, please share!
 
I'm only thinking of running a little 'browse the web' kinda computer, nothing that will need too much power. I could always try and put some sort of exhaust fan on the back of it.
Currently looking for a cheap flatscreen 17" monitor on Gumtree. Seen one which is £15 ono so I will try and snatch it up.
 
OK so this project was consigned to death, and I installed an old version of Linux onto it. But lo and behold, I recently decided 'to hell with it' and gutted the eMac.
I didn't keep any original electronics (The CRT was kinda scary with all the warning stickers) so the boards and monitor went in the bin (I kept the single RAM stick for no reason).
Looking into it, I don't think a regular mATX board will fit in here, so I might go for Mini-ITX. I want to go for something a little older, but capable.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/380573703901
This looks like it should fit...
Anyway, here are some pics (taken on my old camera, apologies for shoddy pictures, will have better ones in coming days)
Fig 1: Outside view of gutted eMac
PICT0017.JPG

One thing I am looking for advice on is connecting speakers. I don't know the best way to go about connecting wiring these up to a standard 3.5mm jack (if that's possible) but I'll put some pics here to see if anyone can help:
Fig 2: Each of the speakers (one pictured) has two wires coming from it, which join up to a 4-pin connector of some sort
PICT0015.JPG

Fig 3: Another image of a (rather unclean looking) speaker.
PICT0013.JPG
 
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